Working here on #TEDx with an awesome bunch of people just like me: positive-thinking perfectionists, and it feels like a family. Due to the pandemic, the whole thing has changed locations a handful of times, tickets have been restricted/ returned, and every 3 seconds we wonder if it will even happen. Weirdly, all the uncertainty has an upside: I don’t feel so stressed! I feel just as invested in the quality of my work as I always do, but less invested in whether the event happens exactly the way expected or not. Is there a word for “I have no hope, I have no fear, I am free”?
~ Notes from rehearsal today, yet, really, a motto for life.
A flutey score keeper with a metronome meets a fluid inky improvisor, one line worker.
Will they find the balance between them in time for an audience of 6million?
I started this DELPHI project when I was 23. (I’m 37 now.)
I’ve researched it for months and years in the British Library in London & written it as an 18 chapter young adult novel (for ages 9-12), re-designed it as a graphic novel (12-18) in Berlin, and for the last two years in Brussels developed it as a live continuous line art performance with live classical music for kids (ages 9-18). I carried all my materials across 5 country moves and copy-edited countless digital drafts and scripts, (maybe 80 versions?), storyboarded like a maniac as you can see (60 versions and counting).
The original trailer took approximately 5-7 rehearsals (?) was 6 minutes long (violin by @EugeneFeygelson), the current trailer is at 10 minutes (flute by @KalliopiBolinvou) and we are now on our 3rd rehearsal of this new collaboration.
The first gallery to feature this show was Clique Art (in 2018) and the current event will be for TEDx (2020) with view towards a possible third performance of the next chapter (in Sept 2021) for Art Base (?).
I don’t know how many pens I’ve worn down to their nub and how many markers have dried up all their ink. Started out with black ink pens, Uniball Vision Elite, and ended up with Sharpie Fine Points (such a lovely true black), but will probably have to start using their W10s (lesser true black) because the bigger audience needs to be able to see the line better.
My first fans were friends and my mother. The current fans are just under 2300 heads. The live audience expanded to 700 people but due to Covid19 is now down to 250, but still need to see more clearly from the back of a much bigger auditorium than the original audience which was sized around (+/-) 75 humans.
This is what a non-digital work in progress looks like, people. I’m not sure how an artist fits in this post-pandemic new normal, or how they ever fit in this ridiculous world in the first place, or why this world encourages the fine arts but refuses to value them… but this is what it looks like to stick with a strong creative vision (for all its flaws) with stubborn mule-like dedication to your chosen art (for as long as it takes)….
Promo code TEDXULB2020 on tickets Maison Du Bois, Vrijwilligerslaan 2, 1040 Etterbeek on OCT 22nd.
Educational tool on the different dynamics of consent.
I contributed this illustration to a super important card game that helps young people/adults explore the concept of consent. It can be used in classrooms and workshops and even therapy.
The Fédération Belge pour le Planning Familial et l’Education Sexuelle (FCPPF) serves Belgium’s Francophone community. It runs 42 centres, where it conducts training in family planning for health personnel, and an information and documentation centre. The organisation is prominent in the promotion of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights, and has organised a solidarity campaign for migrant women.
L’Estime do training and workshops for psycho-emotional health through awareness of and communication with the body. They propose group and individual support to people living with the somatic consequences of (psycho)trauma. Their bodywork and care for pain, anxiety and trauma centres consent, body positivity, social justice and inclusivity.
On behalf of these amazing spaces, Macia and Borcard approached me because they knew I’ve illustrated big ideas in the past (philosophy for kids, abstract maths, physics, asthma, Autism, political dialectics…). They liked my continuous line method and the way it can visually illustrate the necessary continuity of this topic.
I illustrated over 130 visuals and they chose this one for this part of a bigger educational project that begins here. This card game explores the different dynamics of consent through personal expression, debates and collective creations. This support offers an understanding of consent at both the relational and societal level and allows us to collectively appropriate a definition and courses of action to set up a culture of consent on a daily basis.
Target audience
This tool is intended for all professionals wishing to address the issue of consent with their audiences, young people from 15 years old or adults. It is also aimed at work teams who wish to question their posture: as a team and / or with their audience. More broadly, this tool is also intended for any adult who wishes to question the topic of consent.
Content
The 56 cards are separated into two main themes of 28 cards each identified by a color code:
the yellow cards deal with consent in its interpersonal aspect;
blue cards in its societal aspect;
In each theme you will find talk , challenge , roundtable and group creation cards .
The Parole Cards offer a question on consent and a speaking time for the person who drew the card. The Challenge cards , tour de table and group creation offer instructions for an activity to be carried out in a group on the subject.
Goals
Talk about consent in terms of practice and not just in terms of concept;
Encourage listening rather than debate to enrich individual reflections and representations;
Consider consent in all relational spheres (not just sexual);
Deepen a non-binary vision of consent;
Approach consent from the perspective of power relations rather than as a single issue of individual responsibility;
Highlight the influences of our social and cultural environment in relational and romantic models;
Promote awareness that inequalities and gender stereotypes are obstacles to consent;
Raise awareness of the relational benefits of a culture of consent.
My Favourite Questions
This card game can be used to initiate group discussions in safe educational/therapeutic spaces. Some of my favourite questions include:
What to do when there is doubt about consent?/Que faire lorsqu’il y a doute sur le consentement d’une personne ?
How / where can we practice consent outside of sexuality?/Comment/où pouvons nous pratiquer le consentement en dehors de la sexualité ?
How to initiate a conversation with a partner about your own limits?/ Comment initier une conversation avec un.e partenaire au sujet de tes propres limites ?
And importantly:
If a person says ok once for something, will it be ok for the same thing every other time? OR If someone says yes, does that mean it will be yes every other time? / Si une personne dit ok une fois pour quelque chose, est ce que ce sera ok pour la même chose toutes autres les fois ? OU Si quelqu’un.e dit oui, cela veut-il dire que ce sera oui toutes les autres fois?
Sharing
I received a flat fee so don’t get anything when promoting this project, but I hope every young person engages with this topic. We might just consent to make a better world.
So excited to hear the music Kalliopi Bolovinou has layered into our first live art + music collaboration at TEDx on the 22nd Oct.
We are performing the trailer to my continuous line graphic novel #Delphi. She sent me this pic of her music notes in my script. So awesome!
Nothing is more fun than interdisciplinary arts, in my book. (Literally.)
Promo code TEDXULB2020 on tickets.
Maison Du Bois, Vrijwilligerslaan 2, 1040 Etterbeek on OCT 22nd
First-class flautist Kalliopi Bolovinou and I start our art + music collab with a TEDxULB live show on the 22nd of October 2020.
We will do a variation on my live continuous line graphic novel DELPHI with accompanying (possibly Baroque) flute music.
(Promo code TEDXULB2020 to receive a discount on the prices of the ticket.)
Maison Du Bois, Vrijwilligerslaan 2, 1040 Etterbeek, Belgium
I must remember the kind words during the long months of making art in isolation. Otherwise, the critical thinking takes over.
“Finally I found what I’ve been looking for all this time in Brussels. This painting is my gift to myself to remember a 20 year career here.” ~ Karin
“It was the most exciting outing I have had!! I loved hearing the stories behind the paintings. But most of all I was happy to finally see you after following your journey of your art through social media. My friend [name] is an art lover and was so thrilled that I invited her. Looking forward to receiving the link to the prints. [Name] and I were already discussing where I would put them in my house…”
Some of the visitor’s book got illustrated with lots of love for my paintings and even a suspicious looking “dolphin.”
Meet up groups left very positive reviews online
“Beautiful, Tamar you’re a real artist.”
“Thanks for the immense Naxos joy that you’ve provided for my birthday and beyond! Looking forward to more amazing art from you!!”
“Wow! I don’t know how you do it all…”
“It was quite an emotional experience.”
Some comments were sketches: portraits by little artists… of me!
It’s like looking in a mirror!
Some of these comments were shared in the gallery, some online and some illustrated in the gallery’s visitor book by the youngest art appreciators yet.
“[T]he painting is You! whats been sold was just a small part of your beautiful heart that will simply regenerate and create more love. like a beautiful vine tree.” ~Vicky Anastasiou
“…it’s amazing, your very best art work! Keep going! Really enchanted from these journeys you took me…”
“The paintings have a thrilling effect. I felt goosebumps myself, and then goosebumps again, standing next to the art collector who was getting goosebumps herself. I could feel the visceral connection she had with the painting.” ~ Viktoryia
“…it was magical to feel that part of me and life”
“…[A]n enchanting journey… full of emotions and positive vibrations…”
“Wonderful,” ~Stella Gadona
“Thanks to you for finding that inspiration…”
“I love how much joy it brings and the colour palette you use is so filled with sun and warmth,” ~ Cherine
“Tamar Levi’s exhibition is absolutely awesome and unique!! I enjoyed it!!!” ~Nadia
So many lovely page mentions and shares too, e.g. comedian extraordinaire Lila Stambouloglou:
Some comments were from faraway. They continue to remind me that friendship love and support knows no boundaries.
Gallery visitors whispered things that will keep me motivated to paint more.
“This one makes me feel very deeply,” ~Agita
There’s even a surprise in the visitor’s book. A page illustrated with great talent by another artist, (sadly left unsigned). A portrait of me which appears to appreciate more than my art.
My art profiled on Belgian TV channel BRUZZ by master of the documentary art Anja Strelec.
My favourite part is how she caught my funky hair waving in the wind like a bug’s antennae!
Educated in London and Cambridge, Tamar has published as an author, illustrator and editor of multiple award-wining books designed for families, classrooms and doctors. Her prized artwork is highly collectible, commissioned by private collectors, sold at private auctions and exhibited in galleries around Europe.
